Travel by bus is gaining favor in the United States as an economical and environmentally friendly way to get around. In growing cities, more and more people are choosing public transit buses over individual vehicles to ease congestion and beat traffic jams. Tour buses are chartered to bring passengers to a common destination. And every day, more than 25 million children ride school bus back and forth to school and related activities.

Buses are generally considered to be one of the safest methods of transportation. According to federal estimates, there are only 0.2 deaths per 100 million miles traveled by buses—far below the 1.5 deaths per million miles attributed to other passenger vehicles. Information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that less than 300 fatal bus accidents occur in an average year.

Still, accidents do happen; in fact, according to a report published in November 2006 in the journal Pediatrics, about 17,000 injuries each year are sustained just by children riding school buses—a far greater number ­than previously estimated. Driver negligence, dangerous roads, inclement weather conditions, improper maintenance, and lack of seatbelts are among the factors that can contribute to bus accidents and injuries.

It’s important to note that not all bus-related injuries are the result of a collision. More frequently, injuries occur as the result of sudden stops, sharp turns, or while passengers are boarding or exiting the bus.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a school, public transportation or school bus accident, contact our office immediately. Failure to take prompt action could jeopardize a potential claim.